Pokeworks & Botrista Launch a New Drink Partnership
IRVINE, Calif. — Pokeworks and Botrista are teaming up to deliver fresh and delicious drinks to guests nationwide. In addition to popular boba milk teas, the partnership allows Pokeworks to introduce Botrista’s full lineup of craveable drinks for the first time, including popular smoothies and lemonades.
To celebrate the new partnership, customers can enter to win exciting weekly giveaways including a 4-night trip to Hawaii simply by visiting Pokeworks stores and purchasing any Signature Drink and entrée combination.
A Flavor-Forward Fast-Casual Partnership
As consumer demand for high-quality, customizable beverages surges, fast-casual brands are rethinking their drink programs. Traditional fountain machines no longer satisfy modern diners—especially Gen Z and Millennial guests who actively seek authentic, photo-worthy refreshments.
To meet this demand, Pokeworks—the leading fast-casual poke brand with more than 70 locations across North America—partnered with Botrista to launch a full craft beverage lineup, including classic boba milk teas, ube lattes, and blended fruit lemonades.
“Our guests are thrilled with our Signature Drinks, the new premium drink options we now offer. These beverages, made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, perfectly enhance the authentic flavors of our poke cuisine.”
— Mike Wu, Co-Founder and Head of Culinary at Pokeworks
As part of Pokeworks’ commitment to freshness, high-quality ingredients are at the forefront of the expanded drink menu. With real pineapple and coconut puree for its new smoothies, Pokeworks guests feel refreshed with every sip.
“Pokeworks embodies the spirit of freshness and a welcoming cuisine. We’re excited to share these values and partner with Pokeworks to offer elevated drinks that consumers crave when they want something fresh and delicious.”
— Rex Huang, VP of Beverage Innovation at Botrista
Operational Excellence for Fast-Casual Multi-Unit Expansion
By integrating smart beverage service systems across franchisee locations, Pokeworks captures the growing demand for craft boba teas and fruit refreshers while avoiding back-of-house bottlenecks.
Key Partnership Highlights:
Expanded Menu Diversity
Adds boba teas, ube lattes, real-fruit smoothies, and lemonades alongside poke bowls.
Sub-20-Second Fulfillment
Enables store team members to dispense made-to-order craft drinks at the push of a button.
Zero Barista Labor Overhead
Eliminates manual tea brewing, tapioca boiling, and complex ingredient prep.
High Margin Growth
Delivers gross margins exceeding 75% on specialty beverage attachments.
About Pokeworks
Pokeworks was founded in 2015 with the simple mission of spreading its love of fresh, healthy, and delicious poke—a renowned staple of Hawaiian cuisine—with the world. Pokeworks’ innovative Poke Your Way™ approach offers guests limitless ways to customize their poke order to match their eating preferences, including vegan, gluten-free, and mindful diets.
Named the “Top Poke Franchise” by Startups Magazine and listed on Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers,” Pokeworks operates over 70 locations across the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, and Mexico.
FAQ
How does the Pokeworks and Botrista partnership enhance the guest dining experience?
The partnership expands Pokeworks’ beverage lineup beyond standard fountain drinks, offering guests customizable craft beverages like ube lattes, boba milk teas, and fruit smoothies made with real fruit purees that pair directly with poke bowls.
Can fast-casual restaurant chains serve craft boba and smoothies without adding extra kitchen labor?
Yes. Botrista’s automated beverage platform enables entry-level restaurant staff to dispense complex, made-to-order craft drinks in under 20 seconds via a simple touchscreen interface—requiring zero barista training or back-of-house prep work.
What operational benefits do automated drink machines bring to poke and fast-casual concepts?
Automated beverage systems eliminate ingredient over-pouring, reduce prep waste through precision dosing, accelerate ticket fulfillment during peak rush hours, and drive higher check averages with gross margins exceeding 75%.
About Botrista
Botrista provides automated beverage solutions that allow foodservice operators to increase average check size and beverage attachment through high-quality craft drinks.
Operating across restaurants, convenience stores, higher education campuses, hospitals, and virtual kitchens, Botrista’s cloud-connected BotristaPro system pairs algorithmic dispensing with world-class ingredients to deliver barista-quality beverages in seconds.
Headquartered in San Francisco, Botrista serves partners across North America and select international markets.
To learn more, visit botrista.com.
